Former Abortion Clinic Now Hub of Black Maternal Health Movement

Nakeenya Wilson, founder of Black Mamas Village—a nonprofit supporting Black women & families—has transformed a former abortion clinic into a space for maternal health services & resources, addressing racial disparities in healthcare for pregnant people.

"When we talk about birth justice and reproductive justice, we're talking about everything it takes for a birthing person and their family to thrive and to have autonomy and to have humanity and quality of life that is equal to anyone else...these things are a part of the full picture." - Nakeenya Wilson

The building, formerly housing an abortion provider, now offers various services and a sense of community for Black moms in Austin, Texas, a predominantly white city. Wilson shares the space with midwives, doulas, and perinatal health practitioners, providing support and education to improve health outcomes for Black women, who face higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth.

Black women are three times more likely to die during or after giving birth, and abortion bans further exacerbate these disparities. The collective at the Village Place offers a unique, holistic approach to care, including childbirth education, doula services, and mental health support, often bartering or exchanging services to make it accessible.

Jennifer Lynn Dungey, co-owner and president of the Black Mamas Village board, hopes to expand and offer more comprehensive support, including housing, to serve the community better and address the "huge need" for accessible resources.